AFP Increases Orders for New M4 Rifles to 63,000 units

Related to an earlier blog entry by MaxDefense (see "3 Projects to Modernize the Assault Rifle needs of the AFP" dated December 18, 2013) regarding new rifles for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, it appears that the Department of National Defense (DND) has increased its order for new M4 rifles from American arms manufacturer Remington Arms Company. Initial reports from last year indicated that the order is only for 50,629 units worth Php 1,944,261,591.66, or around Php 38,402 per rifle (by average, without considering other parts of the contract). But during the announcement made by President Noynoy Aquino during the graduation rites of cadets from the Philippine Military Academy batch 2014, the numbers were raised to 63,000 units worth at around Php 2.4 billion.

The AFP continues to use the venerable M16A1 series rifles, which first saw action in the Vietnam War. The photo above shows Marines from the US and Philippines during Balikatan 2009 Exercises, with USMC using M16A4 while the PMC still uses the old M16A1.Photo taken from USMC website c/o Wikimedia.

By simple math, Php 2.4 billion for 63,000 rifles means that the average unit price might still stand as the original signed contract price, thus it may be possible that the DND used its option to increase the order.

The Philippine Army's Special Operations Command (SOCOM) uses the M4, although regular army units still uses the longer and old M16A1. The introduction of the Remington R4 starting this year will change that.

Following the president's announcements, Remington may start delivery of the 1st batch of rifles within the next few months, which was per original contract. This will enable the military to start the massive repair and refurbishing of old M16 rifles, using the services of the Government Arsenal (GA) without affecting the availability of rifles for each serviceman. A more elaborate explanation on the GA M16 refurbishing works can be found in the earlier MaxDefense blog (see 1st paragraph).

The Remington R4, their version of the M4 carbine.Photo taken from Remington Arms Company website.

The increase in contract for more Remington rifles doesn't necessarily mean as a loss to the Government Arsenal (GA), which has an ongoing rifle production project based on the M16/M4 family. The GA, which is looking for a partner for the rifle production in its facility in Limay, Bataan, may consider Remington's offer as its position is now stronger as opposed to its other major arms manufacturer competitors like Colt. This may allow GA to manufacture the R4 (designation of Remington's M4-based rifle) under license provided by Remington Arms Company, and provide the manufacturing technology, technical know-how, and skills to GA.Modernizing the army always starts with modernizing the infantryman, and what better way to start this by giving them a dependable rifle they can use to do their job.

===============UPDATES:
===============July 17, 2014:A speech of Pres. Benigno Aquino III during the opening of Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) Exhibition 2014 confirmed that aside from the initial order of 50,629 units of Remington R4 carbine ordered by the Army, it has added another 12,657 units using some of the budget saved from the tender. This brings the total order to 63,286 units. This further confirms the information provided in this blog, due to conflicts with other media reports that only 50,000+ units are expected by the PA.==========August 14, 2014:President Noynoy Aquino presided the hand-over ceremonies for the 1st batch from a total of 50,629 units of Remington R4A3 (M4) carbines to the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marine Corps), during a ceremony this morning. Speeches made during the event confirmed the additional order of more than 12,000 rifles using parts of the savings the AFP incurred for the bidding of the said rifles.

If the Government is going to go through the trouble of buying new rifles, why not at least buy the best rifle they can get, or at least get the best version of the rifle they looking at. Why didn't they say order the R-4 Gas Piston Carbine (GPC) with the "GAS PISTON" and free float rail? But instead the Government bought the Remington R4 that operates on a "DIRECT GAS IMPINGEMENT and rotating bolt system". That's a bad news! Why? Reliability Issues, Direct Impingement the original technology gas goes through tube from barrel to bolt carrier and forces the bolt back gas comes out through ejection port? less recoil because gas is directed to the bolt the bolt gets hot and dirty quickly(that's sucks because the bolt assembly must be protected from excessive heat, high pressure gasses and carbon build up and causes jams putting the soldiers life in danger. Frequent cleaning is required performing such cleaning regiment in the battlefield like in Vietnam during the 70's). Unlike GAS PISTON its the total opposite of DIRECT GAS IMPINGEMENT. Kindly watch this Videos for more info http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3TVsekcFWo & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PdgMOK2BF8. But there is a solution for the "DIRECT GAS IMPINGEMENT" problem change it into "GAS PISTON" a challenge task for Government Arsenal if they can fabricate their own bolt carrier, gas block and piston rod. watch this Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spOZqpMLldQ

the rifle is only a means to an end. there is no weapon that is more potent than the philippine marine. i'm told that these "basterds" can use any part of their body as a weapon- the rock-solid palms for piercing the heart, the powerful jaws and teeth which can crush trough the skull, etc...hurray!

hi sir max, is it true and confirm that this la tapaguese from france for our philippine coast will be arriving this april 2014 or may? I've read in the wikipedia a while ago about the update of this aquisition. lem1

Out of topicthe US what dnd to use the lockheed martin radar like tps -77 AIR SURVEILANCE RADAR.....INSTEAD OF israel elta radar like elm-2288.Whivh is better for us?Is tps radar support as target acquisition and fire cobtrol for future land base surface to air missile?or it is just pure air surveilance radar?As far as what i read about israel elta elm-2288 radar is its all in one radar jack of all trade ika nga.as air search and track radar, as air traffic control, as target aquisition and fire control for missile.?So elta elm-2288 or US tps-77 which one for us.?

I haven't really take much time studying the capability of both radar systems, but TPS-77 benefits the commonality with US forces and other friendly countries. There are also some unverified reports that the TPS-77 is cheaper, although the ELM-2288 can detect at longer ranges.

I have been searching the net for tps-77 radar support for target aquicition and as fire control for missile as of now I cant find.it say on as air surveillance means as search and track only radar. I try looking at patriot missile radar it uses an/pq-53 and an/pq-65 radar. so this tps-77 is just a search and track radar it does not support target acquisition and as fire control for missile.so I go for iai elta elm-2288......

The DND should study this meticulously. It's not a matter of price but reliability for the intended usage, This radar system is vital to the whole country's defense so it should be of the latest technology, can be integrated with our modernization program and still be adaptable well into the future.

Look at the Link,.. The TPS 77 is a radar based on both the Fps 117 and the TPS 59...

AN/TPS-59Developed for the U.S. Marine Corps to provide a mobile long-range surveillance radar capability. It is recognized as the world’s most capable long-range ground-based radar for tactical ballistic missile defense with proven performance during live fire tests

AN/FPS-117Developed for the U.S. Air Force, it provides long-range surveillance capability to the minimally attended Distant Early Warning line in Alaska and Canada. It is the most capable dual-use air traffic monitoring and air defense radar available and has been proven in more locations around the world than any other radar in its class.

AN/TPS-77Designed to be a multi-mission radar, the TPS-77 incorporates the best TPS-59 and FPS-117 features to create an economical, high performing radar that can be transported via C-130, C-17, truck, rail or helicopter.

Hi Max, won't the PA consider buying MRAPs, our soldiers are getting killed by the use of landmines and IEDs. How come the NPAs are able to manuever in strenght? Seems we really have a difficult time reducing their capabilities. Freddie

MRAPs are being considered but it also depends on how much the US government is willing to sell them. These vehicles aren't cheap and is even more expensive than Simbas. I actually support the criminalizing of CPP-NPA political fronts and party lists, as they are the source of money that funds the NPA's activities and firepower.

Nice to see more of our men in uniform getting decent rifles. And the GA's conversion of the old M16A1s is looking good. The Dissipator model with the 16" barrel looks especially badass and unique. I like that someday, a person can see the silhouette of a soldier carrying the M16 Dissipator and say, "that's a Filipino soldier."

Although does anyone else think it's about time we moved from a direct-impingement system to piston-based one, given our tropical conditions and relatively limited budget for weapon repair and maintenance?

That is still debatable until now, as there are supporters for both systems even within the AFP and other armed services, and civilian gun enthusiasts alike. So for now we can't really be fair to point to a specific system as being better than the other.

off topic: why do our government or coast guard never attempt to patrol regularly going in and back to ayungin shoal so this routine will served as a guideliness to the right of passage for transporting goods and personnel to ayungin shoal. this will simplify the chinese authority about the activity being done into that area. I don't think our military personnels are lack of strategy to handle the ayungin shoal.

its time for ou government to built a ship good for ramming since most of chinese ship have this capability to counter another ship they want to engage. we have a lot of philippine ship builder who can provide this.

I still don't understand why the Philippine government is not adapting or innovating it's own m4 style variant. Even though Filipino designers and manufacturers has produced improved variant of the m4 specially the GA PVAR and Ferfrans SOAR that can outperform a regular m4. I don't see how we can't save cost by locally manufacturing a small arms which isn't rocket-science. Heck people can make them in their garage using simple lays, cheaper than that of the branded one. Almost all countries in the world with sizable armies nowadays have developed and manufactured their own clones or variant of popular Assault Rifles (AK,FAL,FNC,AR). Even if we say Remington sold it for $848 the gov't could have built it for $500 that's a saving of 25%. So that's bullshit, trademark is not an excuse. The main (everlasting) reason is corruption, specifically kickbacks!

Its not trademark, but safeguard. The GA, as the country's foremost arms manufacturer, must be the prioirty should the AFP get locally manufactured rifles. But it is also looking for a foreign partner to do so. Ferfrans are just Bushmaster / rebranded M4s that were installed with their own ROF reduction system (which actually produces a very loud bang). This and the SOAR has not really outperformed the standard M4 (this is debatable as camps from all sides have done in the past). It is not far fetched that GA may be given a license to produce th Remington R4 in its facility, and can also become the foreign partner ito help the R&D of GA for future projects including more M4 rifles. The current order is not enough for the entire AFP.

Safeguard for what? Copyright infringement? Has Eugene Stoner patented the AR design? And I am assuming that by foreign partner, that is GA would manufacture and sell products to bushmaster (besides the licensing) which I don't see happening as the US is already saturated with all sorts of military gear, cheap and high end.

Quality safeguard. The UDMC offer failed in tests, and has some issues which were the reasons why it was not chosen by the AFP. Remington and other foreign manufacturers which have thousands of manufactured M4s under its belt can guarantee a better performing weapon. The AFP is willing to go local, but if it can't perform according to their needs, then there's no reason to gamble our troop's lives just because we want to buy local. GA will not be selling whole rifles or parts to other manufacturers or civilians, as the GA will only cater the Philippine government needs, and probably other government needs for ammunition and arms.

Remington's R4 has some small differences with Colt's original M4. Also, although Colt's patent for the M4 has expired, the GA still needs the technology from more experienced and bigger foreign arms manufacturers for it to be able to manufacture quality products. Yes, GA can produce, but even they still believes that the need for a foreign partner is a better way to move.

Im happy with Pnoy fast tracing the AFP modernization. All Im saying is the government should support some of the promising local defense industries like the GA, and now the new Kabar combat boots which was acquired by the PA after they tested them and this is what I mean.. As far as Marcos, I just laud his creation of SRDP not his corruption practices. Again what I mean is we should have continued his SRDP unfortunately when Cory Aquino took power she eliminated all of this SRDP projects. and I think she was ill advised by her advisers who some were commies.

It's all political - a new administration doesn't want anything to do with the projects of the previous, even how worthwhile it is. Take the case of the Bong Bong rockets, if it was continued and developed we should have our own rocket forces by now. To assure of a continued AFP modernization well within the next administration, it has to be put into law to include programs and funding as well as periodic reviews and updates. If we will take the queue from other countries, they have created a sole agency to study, procure and oversee all defense related matters in their country.

OT: Aquino Admin. seriousness on AFP modernization is laudable acquiring lots of military hardware aircraft, ships, radars, IFV. hopefully all these equipment will not be wasted due to lack of maintenance funding in the future specially Jets which expensive to maintain and requires constant upgrade.

when the R4 deliveries come, let the GA collect all the M-14s still being used and have them upgraded, it's still very reliable. Also, the GA should develop our own squad automatic weapon perhaps of higher caliber than the 5.56m

I hope the government will soon realize that the 5.56 ammo is a "shoot to injure" ammo. Many NATO countries now wanted to abandon the 5.56 as the standard NATO ammo. In fact in Afghanistan NATO countries went back to the 7.62 x 51 NATO ammo because it is a "shoot to kill" ammo. For me, the M14 is much better than the M4. M14 can be fitted with the EBR chassis for DMR purposes or the Rogue Chassis if you want a bullpup configuration. In times of serious conflict, we need a stronger ammo than can kill at 500 meters. If you carry an m4 with 14.5" barrel, soldiers have to move closer to achieve its effective range especially with only iron sights. Sana iconsider ng gobyerno kung gaano kaeffective ang M14. Even the United States wanted to revive all their mothballed M14s because their soldiers are complaining about the 5.56 for lack of power.

The Government Arsenal has started to prepare for a project to upgrade M14s into similar to those used by the US military. At least 2 different prototypes will be unveilled this year, and will be field tested. The PA, PMC, and special units in the AFP using the M14 will all benefit from this project.

There were issues, but it was a combination of lack of training on the end users, although Remington also has some shortcomings. This issues are being addressed, and as far as I was told, some of the issues raised are already cleared.

UDMC was given a chance by the DND & AFP. But it needed to be at par or exceed the standards being required by them. So far UDMC cannot even subject their products to laboratory tests even after the Government Arsenal invited them with GA shouldering the tests. There seems to be a problem here.

Hi, i have a question. Does AFP/DND/PNP or PAF offers a job or give a opportunity to a former member of NEW PEOPLES ARMY (NPA) or would they accept them to be part of the said departments? if yes where to apply and how?

As far as I know, they do allow former NPAs to join the AFP as long as you are qualified or meet other requiremebts. I have heard of several ex-NPA now serving the AFP. Ill let you know if I get more details, or you may contact the service branches Facebook sites.

our government should pass a law prohibiting politically motivated intervention when pushing for the Phil. Armed Forces self reliance program. Let us not forget that wars were fought by foot soldiers not by politicians setting their fat asses pushing pencils while our infantrymen are pushing bayonets because they ran out of bullets or their personal defense weapons jammed because spare parts for continues maintenance that failed to arrived since ordered from other foreign country that also needs to use it first than for us. our government must focus on how to attain these AFP self reliance program to be up and already running. Years ago i read on the local print media bragging our capability of making locally rocket propelled unguided missiles for a start, then what happened, seems swept under the rugs and never to be mentioned again. Filipino ingenuity are world known. Even backyard made guns from Danao were heared as found its way to foreign countries. Or we truly are a bunch of nut heads of crab pulling mentality that prefers all Filipinos to be better down below unsupported, instead to be applauded and inspired to do better until perfection is achieved.I strongly believed that a self reliant AFP in all its branches, is the only way to stand toe to toe with other countries armed forces. Ang lampa lang ang binobully ng big guys in the hood...like China...? What ever happened to Phil Citizens Armed Force preparatory training, and the ROTC. We know for a fact that even to apply in the reserved force or in PNP, some people for lack of right connection inside has to bribe their way to be accepted. Let us not be naive, we all know these were open secrets...!!

A former naval officer of the Philippine Navy, initially a reservist before becoming an active officer, opted to retire early and migrate to another country. Aside from being in the service, he has been following Philippine and regional defence issues, as well as military technology and industrial movements, and developments in regional military upgrades since the mid 1990s. He has been involved in other defence sites & minor publications for the past several years, and a regular at regional defence exhibitions & symposiums. Currently works as a systems consultant for a foreign military organisation. As a defence writer, he has no political affiliation, and would not hesitate to criticise any political leader, organisation, or political part when issues on defence and security of the Philippines are believed to be in peril.